Drag Racing Tech - What gear ratio for street traction

If you have an A4 with aver bolt ons and street tires and 273 gears, what ratio do you upgrade to for a bigger kick or leap when you floor it ? I figure if you just spin its not going to throw you back in your seat! Im thinking the launching experience in this forum would provide a real world answer. Thanks!

I am running 3.42 in my A4

^^^ I ran the 3.42's in my A4 on a Nitto. It was pretty much heat the tires, mash and go.

So lots more torque and no traction problems with 342?

Id go 3.73 youd probably regret the 3.42, i know i did when i broke the 3.73's and replaced w/ 3.42's. Better gas mileage and all but the car lost a lot of balls down low, not nearly as fun to drive. For just bolt ons 3.73 will be perfect, youll spin 1st and probly hook somewhere in 2nd with some decent street tires.

P.S. I also lost about half a second in the 1/4 just going from 2.73 to 3.73. 13.3 @105 to a 12.8 @ 108 (not sure but i may have been on 275 Mt dr's)

imo it's a loaded question.


i ran 323s for a long time and loved them, with a completely different setup i am running 370's and love them....

Id go 3.73 youd probably regret the 3.42, i know i did when i broke the 3.73's and replaced w/ 3.42's. Better gas mileage and all but the car lost a lot of balls down low, not nearly as fun to drive. For just bolt ons 3.73 will be perfect, youll spin 1st and probly hook somewhere in 2nd with some decent street tires.

P.S. I also lost about half a second in the 1/4 just going from 2.73 to 3.73. 13.3 @105 to a 12.8 @ 108 (not sure but i may have been on 275 Mt dr's)

Wouldnt your 373 in an M6 be more like 342 in an A4?

imo it's a loaded question.


i ran 323s for a long time and loved them, with a completely different setup i am running 370's and love them....

Are you A4 and what was your 323 set up and what did you change or add before you went to 373? Im guessing your HP is way up now based on the huge rear tires.

373s is the best drag/street gear for a A4 imho.

Are you A4 and what was your 323 set up and what did you change or add before you went to 373? Im guessing your HP is way up now based on the huge rear tires.


when i ran 323's i had an a4 with street tires, was netting 1.8's consistantly with bone stock weight and suspension with just some spray, i never had a problem on the street either. i had some 255 m/t drag radials with a 3200 vig stall and the car did even better with the 323's both street and track.


i now have a 9 inch with 370's and love it, but yes i have a th400, 347 and more nitrous and i am in the process of setting up the suspension, but on the street it "hooks" on a 150 shot out of the hole.

i wouold run long gears for mostly street ie 3.42 or 3.23 it will give you jsut the right bog off the line...i can slmost dead hook on motor and right before the 1-2 shift i hit the button and it stays hooked

Wouldnt your 373 in an M6 be more like 342 in an A4?

Nah, ive got 4.10's in my m6 :nod:. I had 3.73's in my first car which was an a4. But yeah thats about right.